bobjots : redux

Apparently the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) has banned the Indonesian Christian hymn, Allah Peduli (God Cares), and threatens a RM1,000 fine under the Non Muslim Religious Enactment 1988 for those caught singing or playing the hymn. Hmm .. one problem there .. MAIS and the Islamic enactments have no legal jurisdiction over Christians, the very demographic most likely to sing and/or play the song, whether in Selangor or anywhere else in this country.

So here goes ..

    Banyak perkara yang tak dapat ku mengerti
    Mengapakah harus terjadi
    Di dalam kehidupan ini
    Suatu perkara yang
    Ku simpan dalam hati
    Tiada satupun ‘kan terjadi tanpa Allah peduli

    Allah mengerti
    Allah peduli
    Segala persoalan yang kita hadapi
    Tak akan pernah dibiarkannya ku bergumul sendiri
    Sebab Allah mengerti

    Allah mengerti
    Allah peduli
    Segala persoalan yang kita hadapi
    Tak akan pernah dibiarkannya ku bergumul sendiri
    Sebab Allah; Yesus ku; mengerti

Considering the various controversial decisions made by MAIS lately, one has to wonder if they’re not working overtime to make Khalid Ibrahim’s administration look bad. A case of “Muslim close mindedness” or deliberate political sabotage using religion as a convenient tool? You work it out.

On a more poignant note, at least for an old Lasallian like me, is the retirement of the last Lasallian brother principal in Malaysia, marking the end of an era that started 157 years ago. Malaysiakini has a video report as well as an interview with Bro. Paul Ho, the “last Lasallian” in Malaysia:

I’m having this strange melancholic feeling .. reminiscent of the publication of the last issue of the Young Lasallian, a youth magazine published for many decades by Bro. Anthony Cheung of La Salle PJ back in the late 80’s. I guess I’m just a sentimental old fool